Hooda calls upon people to fight terrorism jointly

Ludhiana, Aug 9 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today called upon people to fight terrorism jointly to completely root it out from the country.

Addressing a function organised on the occasion of 66 anniversary of Quit India Movement by All India Freedom Fighters' and Freedom Fighters' Successor Association here, he said ''we attained independence after an intense, severe and long struggle.'' He said Punjab had fought a big battle against terrorism which also affected Haryana, being the neighboring state.

The Chief Minister said India is a country of unity in diversity and people belonging to all religions, communities and castes were given equal opportunities of development and advancement. There was no place for terrorism in our country.

He said the great freedom fighters Lala Lajpat Rai and Sukhdev Singh who made supreme sacrifice during the freedom struggle belonged to this area and added he felt proud while standing on this land.

Mr Hooda also said his grandfather, Ch Mattu Ram, who had played an active role in the freedom struggle, had close relations with the families of Lala Lajpat Rai and Shahid Bhagat Singh. His father, too, was a freedom fighter who had the honour of being the only surviving member of Constitute Assembly.

The freedom fighters of the country had a dream of Independent India where there was no poverty, unemployment, economic inequality, regional imbalances, corruption, illiteracy and shortages, he said.

Today, the Country was marching on the path of development and prosperity, he said adding that, ''We have to realise the dream of our great leaders and leave no stone unturned to achieve their aim,'' he added.